Yeah, really

It's been over a month and the folder of "Need to blog" pictures is overflowing.

On the other hand, I have a second job to pull in some money. We don't really NEED it per se, but I was feeling like I wasn't working enough. The projects at home are still there - but I felt the need to have sort of a back up plan. Working as a nurse you have your slow times and busy times and when I need money isn't necessarily when it's busy up at the U and I can get over time.

So, I applied at Jordan Valley Hospital for a position in their CVICU. Which is the only adult ICU in the hospital. I was worried about working in a small hospital and I was ready to jump in and accept the way they do things. There is always more then one way to skin a cat!! I absolutely love it! The stress factor is much lower there and I'm a newby, so no one comes to me for questions. Well, sometimes they do, but the staff is awesome and so welcoming, I just love it. It gives me a different perspective on ICU care and I slow down a little and take more time with the little stuff. It's not all LIVE or DIE any second.

My job at the U in the SICU is secure and well loved. I reassess my job constantly and I just can't imagine myself anywhere else full time. OK, I work 75% there (2 shifts one week and 3 shifts the next) and that is perfect for me. It's a high stress job and I am emotionally invested to the unit. I want the SICU to be a great unit and have the high standards that were in place when I started. I feel like I get the best of both worlds.

Needless to say, when starting a new nursing job there is lots of classes and orientation to go to, so I have been wickedly busy. I love the opportunity and are especially grateful for not just one but two fabulous jobs. Plus I get to have a little cushion for the emergency stuff!!

In the last month, lots of things have happened. First of all Corinne and Logan are engaged!!! YEAH!! I am so excited for them and they are so perfect for each other. Logan has been in our family already and love him mucho grande! We look forward to their wedding in August. It's very small family affair up at a cabin and with all the families and step-families they have to be real selective.

My cute little "pseudo" daughter had her adorable baby boy on April 15th. TAX DAY!! I will blog with pics about it, but she is doing fabulous and, oh my goodness, he is a treat! Lyndsi is Chris's daughter and as you know (well you do now) Chris is one of my great friends that has been a part of my life since my divorce. He has been there for me in so many ways and I have been around Lyndsi since she was about 7. They moved to Colorado but we were lucky to have Lyndsi come stay with us in the summer for a couple weeks for a couple of years. I love them both so much and being able to spend time with them and get to know Brent, Lyndsi's boyfriends and Hunter, Chris's 4 year old son, was so awesome. I miss them!!!

My kids are great. Daniel went on a cruise with his dad. Sami is driving up a storm in my car - she won't drive a stick shift. Matt is drooling over the boat, getting antsy to get it in the water. Austin is working on getting in the electricians union and Jake is playing in a band, that is actually pretty darn impressive.

Watch for pics and updates....I am determined, double determined to get them all blogged so I can have a book made!!

Mwah mwah and double MWAH!!

Blog on.................

NEW YEARS 2009

I have been considering my thoughts for this New Years. I gave up resolutions years ago and embraced my weaknesses on a daily level and constantly worked on them, instead of having a one day a year to re-up, so to say.
When I reflect on 2008 I am literally amazed at how wonderful my life is. I would be jealous of me, if I wasn’t me. Last year at this time, Matt and I were really struggling. He was traveling a lot with work and when he was home he was trying to take care of Rachelle. I hadn’t had a chance to get to know his girls much yet and hated that he was always gone. As time went on throughout the year, we have slowly adjusted and re-adjusted to each other and our families. Matt has been a saint when it comes to me and the great list of issues that I came with. Going from single for 10 years to having someone in my life through everything was a huge and difficult transition. I am very independent naturally and I had many panic moments as our relationship blossomed.
Now we have taken the plunge with the excitement of an engagement and planning our wedding. I have absolutely no doubt that I want to be with him for the rest of my life. I have adjusted so well, I can’t imagine not having him around all the time. There is still some stress, with all of us shoved into this house, it’s difficult for me or anyone to have any alone time.
The year of 2008 ended with great excitement and happiness as so much has happened this year to be celebrated. 2009 looks to be just as exciting with hopefully a little less stress. With 6 kids combined, who knows what it will bring, but it sure is easier having someone beside me.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

THE Engagement

I have been single for....ohhh.......about 10 years. The first five I spent re-living, or living my college years by,

A. going to college and

B. partying like a college student.

This intertwined with single motherhood and divorce. It was a challenge, but I was up to it!! I graduated from Westminster college with BS degree in nursing in 2003 AND all my kids are alive and functioning!

Last week Matt and I were in San Francisco having a mini vacation and Matt was working a little. On thursday night we were having dinner at a fancy italian restaurant by the wharf and I thought, " ohhh........I wonder if this is it!!". (I had already picked out the ring) It wasn't it. Unfortunately for us, there was a DOG in the restaurant, sitting right next to me. It wasn't mine, but the owner sure was proud to have this particular animal in a fancy restaurant. I don't know who's palmed she greased to get him in, but after she was done eating, she let her dog lick the plate!! Isnt' that sweet?? We are both dog lovers, having 3 between us, but it just wasn't a place for a dog.

Matt just wasn't in the mood to ask me to marry him AND pet the dog at the same time. He went into back up plan. We went to the top of the Hilton on O'Farrell St., had a couple of drinks and he asked me there. The setting was perfect, the ring is perfect and he is perfect!!

We have absolutely no idea when or where we are getting married, but it will happen. It most likely won't be a big shin-dig. This isn't our first marriages, but it WILL be our last marriages.

Now, for a moment of silence for the princess cut, for the princess!!